A holiday destination without cash payments? The government wants to make changes.

A cashless vacation in Albania? This scenario could become a reality in the coming years. The prime minister of this country, popular among Poles , wants society to completely eliminate coins and banknotes by 2030. This is a very ambitious, and some say unrealistic, plan, as card transactions are still not as common in Albania as in many other European countries. The reason for eliminating cash is the need to combat the informal economy.

Edi Rama doesn't want cash in Albania

Albania isn't a country where card payments are easy to accept. Many local vendors, taxi drivers, and restaurant owners prefer cash payments or don't even have the necessary terminals. According to a 2024 European Commission report, the Albanian economy is characterized by a large informal economy, which significantly reduces tax revenues and hinders development. "Estimates indicate that it accounts for between 29 and 50 percent of gross domestic product," reports Politico.

Albanians don't like banks

Prime Minister Edi Rama hopes that Albania will successfully transition to cashless payments by 2030. This could disrupt a society already wary of banks. "Most Albanians prefer to manage their savings outside the system, keeping their money in hidden places," we read. According to World Bank data, less than 50 percent of the country's population has a bank account, partly because using such a solution in Albania is still relatively expensive.

Opposition parties are therefore pointing to the inevitable failure of Rama's idea, calling it an "attack on personal freedom." There are also voices suggesting that no steps in this direction will actually be taken. "This is simply another of Rama's ideas, intended to divert attention from the country's real problems, such as corruption and the high cost of living," says Erald Kapri, an MP from the center-right Opportunity Party.

Read also: A unique hotel in Albania will attract tourists. It is shaped like a zigzag. Read also: Tourists will pay less for this. The holiday country is making changes.